Hacker News new | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submit login

I genuinely hope that emojis keep being added. A lot of meaning can be packed into a single emoji which (usually) transcends language and culture.

It's been fascinating to see emoji work their way into everyday usage, even in professional settings. I would love to see the day where emoji becomes a viable form of cross-cultural shorthand.




> I would love to see the day where emoji becomes a viable form of cross-cultural shorthand.

I have my doubts regarding this. We're already seeing a situation where different groups within a single culture, the young and the old, use many common emoji in ways that differ dramatically (at least in the west), sometimes even with opposing meanings. If the meanings of emoji aren't stable even within a single culture, how could they ever hope to transcend culture?


Oh god this. I get emails from students with emoji and I very frequently have to ask them, “How are you using this one?”

Of course, the fascinating thing is that different groups of kids use the same emoji slightly differently. So.


The same way we manage words with multiple meanings or different words which sound the same: context and history


Reminds me of the Chinese written language.

People who speak different dialects or languages can still communicate with written Chinese.

I remember at a conference talking to a Japanese guy and a guy from Korea. I wrote my name in Chinese and they could both read it, but said it in their native language.




Consider applying for YC's Summer 2025 batch! Applications are open till May 13

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: